Gastrointestinal signals in supplemented media reveal a role in adherence for the Shigella flexneri sap autotransporter gene.

ABSTRACT: Shigella flexneri causes severe diarrheal disease worldwide. While many aspects of pathogenesis have been elucidated, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the role of putative chromosomally-encoded virulence genes. The uncharacterized sap gene encoded on the chromosome has significant nucleotide sequence identity to the fluffy (flu) antigen 43 autotransporter gene in pathogenic Escherichia coli. Here, we constructed a Δsap mutant in S. flexneri strain 2457T and examined the effects of this mutation on bacterial cell aggregation, biofilm formation, and adherence to colonic epithelial cells. Analyses included the use of growth media supplemented with glucose and bile salts to replicate small intestinal signals encountered by S. flexneri

SUBMITTER: Leon Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10984119 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature